Transitions

Adam and I finally broke down and bought a new bed. We have been sleeping on his full mattress from college for the past almost 9 years. It has been something that we knew that we needed but just didn't want to spend the money. But on Friday our Queen mattress arrived and that prompted some changes with the kiddos also.

Tanyon was really in need of a new mattress, so our solution was to let the boys share our old mattress and then Addie could take Bryson old mattress. We knew it probably wasn't the best of ideas but it solved our current needs without spending more money. When our bestest pals Jen and Drue heard our idea they offered us their bunk beds. The boys were super excited and we knew it made way more sense so we went and got the beds last night. And since we were shaking things up for the boys we decided to take the plunge with Addie to.

The transition to a big bed for Bryson and Tanyon was nightmarish so Adam and I have been emphatic that we would hold off with Addie as long as possible. She for the 1st time last week crawled out of her crib. Now could she have done this a long time ago absolutely, but Adam and I have disciplined her whenever we saw her anyway close to trying to climb out. Hence, the prolonged delay in escaping from the crib. She now has taken 2 naps (hasn't slept but stayed in her bed) and 1 completely successful nighttime. So far so good and much easier than the boys!

So here are the boys sound asleep in their new bunk beds! Jen and Drue you have once again saved us! I don't know what we would do without you!!

For the record, Bryson decided to christen his new bed by getting sick in the middle of the night. But that's for another post I guess.

Here is my Addie girl looking so grown up in her big girl bed. She is so excited about all of the fun sheets that I bought her at a yard sale this fall.

Now I due have to give Daddy credit for a good idea. He refused to take down the crib (you can see it beside her bed) until we know for sure that this is going to work. I feel this has been part f the success so far for this transition. Addie and I keep having conversations that big girls stay in their bed when it's night time and if not then she will go back to her baby crib. This is part of the difference between her personality and the boys. She is so strong willed but there is still a side to her that can be "encouraged" to do the right thing.

So here's to hoping that we continue to have smooth sailing with our bed transitions!

Stumble

So someone was trying to walk like a cool girl the other day on their way home from Tanyon's speech class. She had both her hands in her pocket and stumbled on the sidewalk. Since her hands were in her pocket she couldn't catch herself to stop her face from bouncing off the sidewalk and now we have this nice battle wound.

Daddy was quite proud to report that Miss Addie girl barely cried. Since walking like a big girl, I guess she decided to take it like a big girl.

She was quite proud of the gigantic collection of band aides that Daddy put on her face when Mommy got home from bbll! Despite the big scratch, her pretty blue eyes still shine through. :)

Cousins

"Baby Morgan" is one of Addie's favorite people to be with! I'm trying to tell Addie that Morgan really isn't a baby anymore, but for the time being she's still "Baby Morgan" to Addie. Here are the girls with their matching sweaters at Christmas.





The girls with Grandma and Grandpa





Addie trying to get Morgan to smile. Morgan wasn't really digging the picture deal.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas day! This was the first year that we got to spend a large part of the day at our house. It was so nice to just chill and watch the kids enjoy their presents. I enjoy that each year the kids gain a greater appreciation for what Christmas is really about!



We have a fun tradition at our house. We have a pickle ornament that was given to us when Bryson was born. The contest is that who ever finds the pickle first gets to open the first present. Bryson has a tendency to wake early in the morning and hunt down some toys to play with in his bed so I wanted to make sure that he didn't get a sneak peak at the tree. That's why we wrapped the door.



Heading into the sunroom with excitement!

One group picture before presents.

We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening presents. This year they decided to march while singing.

I love this boy. If you ever want a kid to give you excitement while opening the present, he's the kiddo for you! Every present was opened with passion and excitement. And he was in on everyone else's presents being opened to! :)

Nerf guns- what was I thinking?!

Bryson loved his legos

Daddy got the boys a present this year- a kid bow. Neither of them are quite strong enough to pull it back but it won't be long before their having a great time with Dad with this one!

Did I mention that Tanyon was in on every present everyone else opened? :)

While it makes me sad to realize how quickly the kids are growing, I gotta admit how much I love this stage! I love their independence and their new interests and watching their imaginations and the love that they have for each other. I felt so blessed this Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We did things a little different this year for Christmas Eve. Typically we spend the evening with my parents, grandparents and Uncle. But my Uncle couldn't make it due to a Christmas program at their church. So we decided to mix things up. We did Christmas Eve at lunch time and invited a fun family from my parents church to join us. Adam's parents joined us later in the afternoon while we just hung out. In the past we always opened presents with Mal and Pappy Buck on Christmas Eve, but since we had visitors we decided to wait. Since the kids were well aware of how we typically do things we did let each of them open one present. Then early evening my mom and grandparents headed over to my Uncle's church to watch my cousin in their program and we headed to church with Adam's parents. It really was just a nice relaxing day!

Here are a few random pics from the day. Didn't take a lot of picture.

Thought this was a funny pic of my brother taking a picture of my Dad video taping. There has always been a camera in my face since the day that I was born!


I love pics of my kids with Pappy Buck!

Addie had a super cute dress on from Miss Jackie and this is the best pic that I have of it. I don't know why I didn't get a better picture.

Ahh imaginext, we've entered a whole new toy world and boy are the kids loving it! This boat is what Tanyon had asked for repeatedly for Christmas.

Martha Stewart

My mom is a great cook. Growing up when we had parties at school, I always had the coolest treats to bring in. Now that Bryson is in school, I feel like I have to continue the tradition. :) I thought these mice cookies turned out so cute I just had to post them. I gave Bryson a couple of choices and this is what he picked.

The best part was they were super easy!

Happy Birthday Jesus Party

Our 2nd Christmas tradition has come thanks to our good friend Judy. Four years ago we started having Happy Birthday Jesus Parties. The kids always look forward to this. We missed our Furnish friends this year! This year we had the party at our house. We decorated cupcakes and did a little craft. It was neat to see how the kids have grown over the years! Mommy had a great time catching up with Judy while all the kids played. I am so thankful for this little tradition that helps the kids to stop and focus on who Christmas is about.


Addie decorating her cupcake.


Do you want to take a guess who's cupcake this belongs to?

The answer could only be TanMan :)

Everyone was all smiles.

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus

I love how Christian grabbed a hold of Addie and Bryson's hands.

It's neat to watch all these kiddos growing.

Candy Lane

We continued the tradition of going to Candy Lane with Jen and Drue this year. It was once again cold (but not as bad as last year) but a beautiful day. As a result, the park was packed (more than it has ever been in the 4 years that we've gone) but we still had a great day! This is perfect for the kids because all of the rides our open.


Tanyon and Addie enjoying the Pirate ship.


Riding in the dizzy drums.

The train ride that we can never miss!

Bryson is actually starting to get too big for some of the rides!

This little guy just makes me smile!

Look Mom no hands!

Addie really liked this ride. She asked to ride it several times.

Going for a fly!

The boys, as Addie and Mommy like to call them.

Just thought this was a neat night time pictures. This slide made me realize that I really don't like heights any more! It was a nightmare trying to carry Addie and all 3 potatoes sacks up this tiny little stairway. Then I couldn't figure out how to get Addie and I loaded on the sack at the same time. FUN TIMES!

Thanks Jen and Drue for a great day! We love spending time with you!!